He was the son of a Scots Minister, and was brought up in the Scottish Highlands. In 1941, at the age of 18, he joined the Royal Navy. What followed were his experiences jotted down so wonderfully in H.M.S. Ulysses, which incidentally was his first novel. What is on record is that, H.M.S. Ulysses was written only after MacLean spent 2 1/2 years in the Navy! Even today, the book holds the merit of being an outstanding documentary novel of life and war at sea.

After the II World War, he joined Glasgow University, from where he earned an Honors Degree in English. Incidentally, the same University offered MacLean a D.Litt. in 1983.

MacLean chose his profession to be a Schoolmaster. He died on 2nd February 1987, leaving his fans in deep grief.

Incidentally, others have written (being granted permission by the master) in MacLean’s name (a mistake he committed). In 1977, MacLean was commissioned to write outlines by an American Film Company. These were later converted to novels (Hostage Tower and Air Force One is Down) by John Denis et al. Alistair MacNeill (!) published two novels (Death Train and Night Watch) after the master’s death.